Semuc Champey was beautiful and at the same time a spot that everyone passes through in a rush. Guatemala City is more on the opposite end of beautiful but people continue to pass through as well. I approached the place by paying a visit to the different art galleries of Guatemala City. One of my favorite ways to approach a town. The place seems to be a hub for people arriving or leaving the next day. With more relaxed places like Antigua nearby I think Guatemala City is not a hot sport of backpacking tourism.
Our cohort of people leaving Semuc Champey and heading to Antigua or Guatemala city was on an exclusive shuttle bus that left me in the outskirts of the city. Driving through the densely inhabited hills into the town I encountered a very poor sight. A cab took me beyond the last miles into Zone 1 – the old town of Guatemala City.
Art galleries of Guatemala City
My first intention was to visit the Museo d’Arquelogía y Etnología to see artifacts from the Tikal ruins. My list of researched was stuffed with art galleries and places to see for guatemalan handicraft to bring home. I spent more time strolling around and didn’t make it to the museum in the end.
A possible itinerary for Guatemala City
- National Library of Guatemala “Luis Cardoza y Aragón”
- National Palace of Culture
- Mercado Central
- Centro Guatemalteco De Textiles
- Santa Iglesia Catedral Metropolitana
- Proyectos Ultravioleta
- La ERRE
- MESO Goods
A visit to the public library started my tour of Guatemala City. The place is refreshingly classic and has many good opportunities to take some images of the people studying or hanging out. A true gem for the wandering amateur photographer. People in the lobby were playing chess and on the upper floors was a huge room filled with people discovering old newspapers.
I want to highlight a place. The Proyectos Ultravioleto gallery. At the time of my visit they were exhibiting works from the artist Regina José Galindo. This was the highlight of this tour.
Depressing in itself and especially with German weapon production as a main topic in 2 of her works it had the potential to make me think about our reception as German citizens in the world. The final work I looked at haunted me. The artist was asking families of killed women to donate a dress to her. Wearing the dress in public she would get her images taken by a professional photographer.
From the stories behind the images you could tell how difficult some of the lives in Guatemala must be. Many of the women are murdered with no real cause and most of them left children and family behind. A talk with the friendly staff members of the hidden art gallery of Guatemala City worsened my mood. They asked if I ain’t concerned to walk around openly in the town being easily spotted as a western tourist. Creepy.
The urban area of Zone 4 in Guatemala City
The next place was easier to digest. The Zone 4 of Guatemala City is very urban and has many shops with retro and classic style. A place for the international bourgeois. I had food and a hard drink to knock out the doubts about the place and the disturbing truth seen earlier.
It was after dark when I returned to my hostel. Cold sweat creeping up my back. Guys with pump-guns guard the open shops. Others close right after sunset. Walking around in Guatemala City after dark without having clear directions is not recommended.